Wrpped Emotions: Full Pursuit with Maria

Continuing with the Wrapped Emotions Prompt for December, I can't think of a better way to celebrate the simple moments of the season by sharing one of the most heartfelt words I can think of. This is also my Full Pursuit profile, and for good reason. At the end of Maria's article is her bio. She's a busy gal but in everything she does, she gives it to the Lord. I have the privelege of knowing Maria face to face and she is flat out one of the funniest people I know, a great advocate to kids, and someone God is just starting to use. I proclaim by faith this isn't the last time you've heard from Maria!

So sit back with a cup of coffee, crank up the Christmas music, and enjoy. I present you Maria's thoughts as a newborn Christian.
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Why me? Why did He choose me to love? Why does He think I’m worthy of His love? Why does He think I’m qualified to fulfill His purpose for my life?
All the feelings of unworthiness, guilt, shame—have all been washed away—washed away with the blood Jesus shed for me. Me? Are you sure about me, Lord? Do you know what I’ve done? Do you know my past? Do you know some of my thoughts? Do you know the people I’ve hurt in the past? Do you know my sins?

He does. The beauty of the Lord is that He knows it all—He knows the dreams of your heart-- He wants you to release the secrets of your being that have been holding you back for so very long. He wants to show you that through His love and His mercy, you can reach the desires of your soul—no matter where you’ve come from, or what you’ve done. He has no agenda. He will wipe the slate of your life clean.

Go ahead—Listen. That quiet voice you think no one knows about—that voice inside you that guides you to do the right thing no matter what...the voice that says “ You can do it!” , even though you’ve never tried such a thing before...The same voice that overrides your natural mind; the logical part of you.

Go ahead. Shhh. Listen.

That’s Him. That’s Jesus.

Let Him in. Let Him hold your heart and embrace your soul. Focus on Him and only Him—don’t wait...try it now. Shhhh.

Allow His love to take over and hold you like no other. He will keep you safe and take you step by step. Surrender your soul to His unending love and mercy. Listen to His call for your life. He’ll teach you things about yourself you never knew. He’ll show you gifts and talents that have been waiting patiently inside you—the more you listen, the more you will discover. Take that step. Let Him fill you up with His joy-His peace-and His unending love—It’s all there for you. Yes, you. Go ahead—don’t keep Him waiting any longer.

Maria and her family reside in NE Ohio. She and her husband are the parents of two. Their daughter is a person with hemipelegic cerebral palsy. Because of her experiences, Maria provides parent-to-parent support for families involved in her local early intervention program. Her gift for writing has come directly from the Lord since her daughter's diagnosis. She writes a monthly column entitled, “Special Parents, Special Kids” for the Mahoning Valley Parent magazine in Ohio; and has expanded into Parent magazines in parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. She is also a contributing author at www.mommiesmagazine.com. Maria is very passionate about getting the word out to special parents that they are not alone in their journey of raising their special child; and that they were chosen by God to parent their children. Maria welcomes comments and communication. If you would like to talk to her, please send me an e mail at jarduini@sbcglobal.net and I will put you in touch with her.